Aussie cricket coach Andrew McDonald has denied David Warner is in the frame for a retirement backflip having suggested Sam Konstas is in consideration to make his debut. Warner sent the Aussie cricket community into a spin last week having suggested he would answer a call to open for Australia if needed against India.
This comes as Marcus Harris, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Inglis and young superstar Konstas are all vying for the opening role vacated by Warner and then Steve Smith. Last week, former Australian captain Tim Paine quickly dismissed Warner’s comments and claimed he was only riling up fans having retired at the beginning of 2024.
And coach McDonald has also dismissed Warner’s comments and claimed he was never in the frame to open the batting for Australia against India this summer. “His comments, a lot of people ran with,” McDonald said.
“David’s retired and he had a magnificent send-off last year … we had no conversations about David coming back.” Warner’s comments come after Smith confirmed he would be moving back to his preferred position at No.4 against India.
McDonald claimed the team spoke about where Smith should bat and thought it was better to return him to the place where he has scored the majority of his runs. “On the back of New Zealand, we checked in around that opening position,” the coach added.
“We believe that this challenge, moving forward against India, the best thing for the team is to move Steve away from that opening position.” And while Warner is no chance of coming back at the age of 38 years old, McDonald has given 19-year-old sensation Konstas a boost having claimed the youngster still could make his debut this summer.
Sam Konstas backed for Aussie Test debut
Konstas has propelled himself into the conversation of a potential debut this summer against India having started the Sheffield Shield season in epic fashion. The 19-year-old blasted twin Shield centuries this month to place his name in contention having earned high-praise from cricket greats along the way.
He then managed to score 43 runs in the second innings against Victoria on a tough MCG pitch, which helped NSW become competitive in the losing match. While he was out cheaply to in-form bowler Scott Boland in the first innings, he managed to play the Aussie international with aplomb in the second innings.
And while there has been plenty of question marks over his age – with Australia becoming hesitant to select younger stars against the likes of England and India in the past – McDonald offered Konstas glowing praise. “Any time we’re picking a Test team … we’re picking the best team for here and now,” Australia coach McDonald told ABC program ‘Offsiders’.
“Clearly Sam Konstas on the back of his first Shield match, and the way he went about his work in the second innings at the MCG against Scott Boland has definitely made some noise. If they’re ready, they’re ready in our mind, and if Sam’s capable and we feel as though he’s capable to fill that spot, I don’t think the opponent should come into the equation.
“You’ve got to start against someone, and you shouldn’t be so-called holding back and protecting someone from a potential opponent.” Konstas has more time to impress selectors with McDonald confirming they won’t decide on Usman Khawaja’s opening partner until the second Australia A-India A match, starting at the MCG on November 7.
Tim Paine backs Josh Inglis to open for Australia
Another left-of-field option to open the batting for Australia is Inglis. The Western Australian star has started the season in fantastic form with his aggressive approach to batting a bonus for the selectors. Aussie cricket great Ian Healy claimed Inglis had to be one of the favourites for selection with many feeling he emulates Warner’s style of batting. And speaking on SEN Radio last week, Paine also endorsed Inglis for the opening role.
RELATED:
“If Australia are going to pick the best six batters, like they say they are, than I think he is in it,” Paine said on Inglis. “They are looking for a certain style of player. Because they want a play certain brand of cricket. They at least want one opener who can go out and do what David Warner has done for years.
“That doesn’t mean that person has to have been opening in Sheffield Shield cricket for the last 10 years. They are looking for a style. And Josh Inglis fits the bill.” Paine said Inglis could be used to take on the Indian bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, and believes the in-form batter could be the go come the first Test match.
